Thanksgiving

Thursday meant one thing, and one thing only - THANKSGIVING! Being a national holiday everyone had the day off to spend with friends and family, stuff their face with turkey and overload on mash and other forbidden carbs.

As our first year in New York we hosted the Estes-Glenns and my cousin Matthew.

After everyone arrived back from the parade it was time for some champers and to get the party going!
















Easy on the sparkling cider boys!

















Due to David's allergy to chicken/turkey we served a roast lamb with gravy instead of a turkey. However we did keep it traditional with pumpkin soup, mash potato, green bean casserole, wild rice & mushroom stuffing, pear rocket & parmesan salad, warm dinner rolls, and peas courtesy of Alex, as well as exceptional beet chutney, cranberry & cream salad and pumpkin pie all made from scratch by the lovely Erin.





















David doing the honors
















With Australian's being in the majority, it was all washed down with Penfolds wine (thanks Matthew) desert included tim tams and mint slice, and all to the soundtrack of Cold Chisel - oi oi oi!





















Tuck-in!

Macy's Day Parade

One of the oldest Thanksgiving traditions is the Macy's Day Parade in New York City. It starts on the Upper West Side and ends up on 34th street in front of Macy's.

It symbolizes the start of the festive season and it is a great way to kick off Thanksgiving Day. it is famous for its massive balloons that can been seen from afar and huge crowds. Once Mick, Erin, Davis and Miles arrived in town, Matthew and David joined them and headed over to watch the parade.

Alex stayed at home, with a long to-do list, mostly in the kitchen preparing Thanksgiving lunch and all the trimmings!

Churrascaria

On Wednesday evening, Thanksgiving eve and the start of a 4 day weekend, we decided to head to Plataforma Churrascaria. It is a Brazilian steakhouse where they bring the meat out on swords and it is carved tableside.

It was lots of fun, very festive and one of the top things Matthew wanted to do whilst he was here in New York. After dinner it was time for some family shenanigans!

Big Wong

After the excitement of seeing Mr Big there was only one thing we could do.......theme the day "BIG"!

We had a photo-shoot of all things "big" in Times Square.....






















....and then it was off to Chinatown for a late lunch at Big Wong!

Known for fast, fresh and yummy food we stuffed ourselves with shrimp fried rice, egg rolls, chicken ding and beef and broccoli.

Followed by a big big walk thru Noho, Lolita, Soho and ending up in Tribeca, we were ready for more drinks and dinner before popping into bed for an early night!

Big News, Sighting and Rebuttal!

After the excitement of the NBC Tour we took a quick walk around Times Square before stopping at Starbucks. It was there we saw..............MR BIG!!

I barely noticed as he shoved his hand over my shoulder to grab his coffee, and then retreated to a nearby seat to read the paper. Like a pack of nervous school girls David, Matthew and I scurried to the half&half stand to debate if we should approach and ask for a photo.

Being the only woman, the duty was left with me and with a shakily made my way over. The words had barely left my mouth "excuse me, im such a ......." before I got a shake of the head, a hand and the words" im not taking any photographs".

I am starting to understand how Carrie felt season 1 thru 5!

Regardless I took the hint, thanked him anyway, announced I was a HUGE fan, and then was on the receiving end of a very,very firm handshake. La!

NBC Studio Tour

As part of Matthews connections at CNBC we invited on a private tour of the NBC studios at Rockefeller Centre.

This is the location of the studios for the national news, Saturday Night Live, Jay Leno Show, Jimmy Fallon Live and 30 Rock. It was a great behind-the-scenes glimpse!





















NBC News Room....

...and camera !

Saturday Night Live - hallway leading into the set

Gus' Place & Temple Bar

Saturday proved to be rather a lazy day, involving a much needed sleep-in and Matthew moving the remainder of his gear to our pace.

It was them off to the West Village for a wander around the shops and sights before grabbing a few drinks at the Barrow Street Ale House. It was then off to Gus' Place, a local Greek restaurant that had fluffy bread, tasty dips and a variety of small plates - ideal for sharing!

Afterwards, it was on to Noho for a nightcap at the uber cool Temple Bar, as lead and directed by David!